Turmeric Believed to Be a Safer Alternative and as Effective as NSAIDs

NSAIDs have long been used by many people as a solution to the pain and discomfort they are suffering from due to arthritis. While pharmaceutical drugs are considered to be the pain management option that people resort to, a natural alternative is also gaining the attention and trust of arthritis sufferers.

Turmeric is believed to be a safer alternative and as effective as NSAIDs. This ancient spice is not just safe and effective, but also inexpensive and widely available in the market today. Individuals with arthritis who used turmeric have reported significant pain relief and improve mobility.

"Turmeric has a very popular medicinal ingredient called curcumin, which is believed to have anti-bacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties," said VitaBreeze Supplements spokesperson, Michelle O'Sullivan.

The Indonesian Journal of Internal Medicine published the most recent study that aimed at validating the medicinal value of turmeric. It was found that the spice's curcuminoid extract has helped reduced inflammation among individuals suffering from knee osteoarthritis.

The researchers compared the performance of a curcuminoid extract and a NSAID drug among a group of people who suffered from knee osteoarthritis. Knee osteoarthritis is a condition that usually affects 1 in 2 individuals by the age of 85 years. At the end of the study, it was found that both the curcuminoid and NSAID decreased the secretion of the inflammatory COX-2 enzyme significantly. In other words, they are equally effective at providing some benefits to individuals with knee osteoarthritis.

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine published a study that also investigated whether turmeric is as effective as NSAID drugs for reducing knee osteoarthritis symptoms. It was found that 2,000 mg of turmeric was as effective as 800 mg of a particular NSAID drug for reducing symptoms involving pain and inflammation.

Since turmeric is as effective as NSAIDs in providing pain relief and reducing inflammation, many people find it helpful to use the spice. The use of pain relief drugs such as NSAIDs is associated with side effects such as increased cardiac mortality, seizure and miscarriage. Due to these side effects, an increasing number of individuals who suffer from arthritis are relying on safer, natural alternatives such as turmeric.

Turmeric can be incorporated in one's diet, and it can also be consumed through curcumin supplements. The best curcumin supplements available in the market today contain a bioavailability enhancer called